Qatar Denies Funding Hamas, Blames Israel for Oversight

Qatar's Ministry of Communications has issued a rare official statement vehemently denying allegations that it directly transferred funds to Hamas. The statement, released in response to a New Yorker magazine investigation, asserts that all financial aid, along with food, medicine, fuel, and other essential goods, entered the Gaza Strip only after full coordination with Israeli authorities and international partners. "No money was transferred to any entity without Israel's knowledge and involvement at all stages of the process," the statement read.

Qatar further contended that if any funds did reach Hamas, the sole responsibility lies with Israel, which oversaw the aid's entry into Gaza under various prime ministers, including Benjamin Netanyahu, Yair Lapid, and Naftali Bennett, through its security mechanisms like the Mossad and Shin Bet. The Qatari Foreign Ministry also sharply criticized the investigation itself, claiming it aims to damage Qatar's reputation as an international mediator. They allege that far-right Israeli elements have disseminated baseless documents for years to undermine Qatar's pivotal role.

The investigation and Qatar's response have reignited scrutiny of the involvement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates, Yonatan Uriach, Israel Einhorn, and Eli Feldstein, in the "Qatar Affair." According to key investigation materials, Uriach and Feldstein, in coordination with Einhorn, allegedly worked to clear Qatar of responsibility for terror financing and promote it as the preferred mediator for hostage deals. This included disseminating pro-Qatari and anti-Egyptian messages in the Israeli media. One revealed correspondence explicitly stated, "We need to brief on how to trust the friends."

The affair continues to stir the political system, raising serious questions about behind-the-scenes conduct. Previously, various initiatives aimed at pressuring Qatar have surfaced. An investigation by Haaretz revealed that on the sixth day of the Swords of Iron War, a secret WhatsApp group of about 30 senior political advisors, campaigners, and public relations experts organized an international campaign against Qatar as a Hamas financier. The initiative rapidly launched dedicated foreign-language websites, social media accounts, and presentations, but after a month of intensive volunteer work, the project faded and was shelved.